Three sentence types
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say and write three different sentence structures.
Key learning points
- A sentence composed of one main clause is a simple sentence.
- There are four types of simple sentence: statement, question, command and exclamation.
- A sentence composed of at least two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction is a compound sentence.
- A sentence composed of at least one main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause is an adverbial complex sentence.
Keywords
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Simple sentence - a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense
Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Subordinate clause - a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense
Common misconception
Pupils may believe using a co-ordinating conjunction always creates a compound sentence.
Using a co-ordinating conjunction only creates a compound sentence if the conjunction is joining main clauses.
Teacher tip
Add images to the slides to inspire sentence writing.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A clause is a group of words that contains a verb. Which two of the following are clauses?
Q2.A main clause is a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense on its own. Which two of the following are main clauses?
Q3.A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb but does not make complete sense on its own. Which two of the following are subordinate clauses?
Q4.What is a conjunction?
Q5.Match the main clause to the adverbial clause to make a complete sentence.
as he ran.
when the performance was cancelled.
because we had won the trophy.
Q6.Which two of these are true for an adverbial clause?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which type of simple sentence is being described? 'This type of simple sentence could end with a full stop or an exclamation mark. It always contains an imperative verb.'
Q2.Match the sentences to the types of simple sentence.
This tea has gone cold.
Make more tea.
Do you take sugar?
What a delicious cup of tea that was!
Q3.What is the purpose of a co-ordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?
Q4.Match the co-ordinating conjunctions to the gaps in the compound sentences.
I am cold __________ I am hungry.
I am cold __________ Andeep looks colder.
We could eat now _________ we could save our food for later.
Q5.Where can the subordinating conjunction be placed in an adverbial complex sentence?
Q6.Match the subordinating conjunction to the adverbial complex sentence it helps to create.
__________ we listened, the teacher explained the task.
__________ we listened well, we all succeeded.
__________ we could succeed, we listened carefully.
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Three sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Three sentence types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Simple, compound, adverbial and relative complex sentences unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.